Morocco: Islamist party dissolved

Moroccan Prime Minsiter, Abbas El Fassi, issued on Wednesday a decree dissolving the Islamist party "Al Badil Al Hadari" (Civilzational Alternative), as part of the dismantling of a terrorist network described as "Jihadist" earlier this week. A press release of the Prime Minister's office, cited by MAP, said that the decision has been taken in line with article 57 related to the political parties, on the basis of the alleged links between the network and the creation of the party, as well as on "the serious evidence on the involvement of its main leaders."

The party Secretary General, Mustapha Mouatassim, was among the 23 people arrested as part of the case. Among those arrested was also Mohammed Merouani who heads the unrecognized "Umma Party" and Hizbullah Al Manar TV's correspondent, Abdelhafid Sriti.

Police sources reported on Tuesday that 23 people were arrested on Monday and Tuesday following the dismantlement of this "terrorist network", led by Abdelkader Belliraj, a Moroccan living in Belgium. According to the police, the network was preparing to carry out attacks in the kingdom and had ramifications and links with organizations operating in Morocco and abroad.